The economy, housing, pipelines: Not all claims in the federal election campaign were true

As voters navigate through the sea of misinformation, exaggerated claims, and outright lies in the current federal election campaign, it can be challenging to discern what is true and what is not. With each leader of the four largest federal parties guilty of making inaccurate statements at some point during the campaign, it is crucial for voters to critically evaluate the information presented to them.

Liberal Leader Mark Carney has been scrutinized for his statements regarding the financial crisis of 2008-09. While he claimed that Canada avoided a recession during that period, the facts show that the country did, in fact, experience a recession with a drop in GDP for three consecutive quarters. Additionally, his assertion about the auto sector being Canada’s second-largest export was found to be based on outdated numbers.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has also faced criticism for his claims during the campaign. His references to a Policy Horizons report on social mobility in 2040 as a prediction of Canada’s future have been debunked, as the report does not make predictions and includes a disclaimer stating that it does not necessarily represent the views of the Government of Canada. Furthermore, his accusations about the Liberal Party’s platform being drafted for former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and simply substituting Carney’s name have been refuted by the Liberal Party.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh’s statements about the Housing Accelerator Fund and the number of houses built during Poilievre’s time as the minister responsible for the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation have also been called into question. While Singh pledged to double the Housing Accelerator Fund and criticized the Liberals for not making it permanent, the fund was actually a Liberal campaign promise that was followed through in the 2022 budget. Additionally, Singh’s claim that Poilievre only built six houses during his tenure has been clarified to show that the CMHC partnered with private companies to build over 4,000 homes during that time.

Lastly, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet has faced scrutiny for his statements about professional human-smuggling networks advertising packages for safe stays in Canada and Carney’s stance on pipelines in Quebec. While Blanchet’s claims about human-smuggling networks have been called into question for lack of evidence, his accusations against Carney regarding pipelines have been debunked as Carney has not stated that he would force pipelines through Quebec against its will.

In a campaign marred by misinformation and misleading claims, voters must be vigilant in fact-checking the statements made by political leaders. By critically analyzing the information presented to them and seeking out reliable sources, voters can make informed decisions at the ballot box.